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Shimla, September 4 (HS). Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh has said that the state government will ensure that people get adequate compensation while acquiring land for the expansion of Gaggal airport as it is essential to promote tourism in Kangra. The Chief Minister said this in response to a joint question by Sudhir Sharma and Kewal Pathania during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister said that Gaggal airport was the easiest to expand, so the government was focusing on it. He said that the government also wanted an airport to be set up in Balh in Mandi. Tourism is the priority of our government and we have prepared plans and untouched destinations like Chanchal in Rohru, Churdhar in Sirmaur, Sach Pass in Chamba and other areas will be developed.
Sukhu said the allocation of Rs 1000 crore by the 15th Finance Commission for Mandi airport has not been reflected anywhere by the Centre. The CM said he raised the issue of Balh airport with the PM, but the previous BJP government provided only Rs one crore equity to AAI for the Rs 4000 crore Balh airport project. He said no agreement has been signed with ADB yet for the international convention centre project costing Rs 400 crore. He said there is 600 bigha land in Kuladhar of Mandi, which will be developed as a tourist spot.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the announcement to declare Dharamshala as the tourism capital was made to attract people from Kangra district. Thakur said the heli taxi service to Dharamshala has been discontinued and there has been no progress in setting up the aerial ropeway.
Allaying the apprehensions of the opposition leader, the chief minister said Rs 13 crore each has been provided for Chamba and Rakkad heliports. Sukhu said heliports constructed under the Udan scheme can be started only after check-in and check-out facilities are made. He said the government had to struggle to get permission for Dhali heliport, while Baddi, Rampur heliports are ready.
In response to the original question, the Chief Minister said that the government is working towards making Kangra a tourist capital, which will be reflected in the next budget. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that work has begun to make Kangra district a tourism capital. Under this, a zoo will be built in Bankhandi and the necessary process is being adopted for this. An international level zoo will be built there with an expenditure of Rs 610 crore.
The Chief Minister said that tourism is the first priority of the government. He said that to make Kangra a tourism capital, it is necessary to first develop the infrastructure there. A land bank is being prepared there because only then investors will come. After this a guideline will be made.
MLA Hans Raj said that along with Kangra, Chamba should also be developed for tourism. On this, the Chief Minister said that there are many untouched places in Himachal and the government is trying to develop them for tourism. He said that the first priority of the government is tourism and work is being done for it. He said that in the coming five years, the government is going to spend a lot of money in the tourism sector.
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said that the work of making Kangra a tourism capital should not be limited to words. He asked what work has been done on the ground level. He said that the heli taxi service started during the previous government is closed. He asked when will the Chief Minister issue the notification of Section 21 of Kangra Airport and when will the land be acquired.
